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A study on association between mastitis and serologically defined class I bovine lymphocyte antigens (BoLA-A) in
D I Våge1, F Lingaas, R L Spooner
1Department of Animal Genetics, Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine, Oslo.
Insights
Bovine major histocompatibility complex (BoLA) A antigen frequencies did not differ between mastitis-resistant and mastitis-affected cows. However, common antigen frequencies deviated significantly from previous Norwegian Red cattle population estimates.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Immunology
- Animal Genetics
- Dairy Science
Background:
- Bovine mastitis is a significant economic concern in dairy farming.
- The bovine major histocompatibility complex (BoLA) plays a crucial role in immune responses.
- Class I BoLA-A antigens are associated with disease resistance in cattle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between BoLA-A antigen distribution and mastitis resistance in dairy cows.
- To compare BoLA-A antigen frequencies in mastitis-resistant versus mastitis-affected cows.
- To assess if common BoLA-A antigen frequencies align with previous population estimates.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of 102 cows for BoLA-A class I antigens.
- Categorization of cows into two groups: mastitis-resistant (no treatment) and mastitis-affected (at least one treatment).
- Statistical comparison of BoLA-A antigen frequencies between the two groups.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in BoLA-A antigen frequencies were observed between mastitis-resistant and mastitis-affected cows.
- The most prevalent antigens identified were A2 and w16.
- The frequencies of antigens A2 and w16 showed significant deviation from previously reported estimates in the Norwegian Red cattle population, particularly for w16.
Conclusions:
- BoLA-A antigen type is not a significant predictor of mastitis resistance in this study population.
- Observed deviations in common antigen frequencies warrant further investigation into population genetics and potential selection pressures.
- Further research is needed to understand the genetic basis of mastitis resistance in dairy cattle.
Abstract:
A total of 102 cows was tested for class I antigens of the bovine major histocompatibility complex. Half of the animals (51) had completed at least four lactations without any veterinary treatment for mastitis. The distribution of BoLA-A antigens among these relative mastitis-resistant cows was compared to that in the other half of the material (51), which comprised animals with at least one recorded treatment for mastitis. There were no statistically significant differences in BoLA-A antigen frequency between cows with mastitis and cows without mastitis. The two most common antigens were A2 and w16. The frequency of these two antigens deviated from earlier estimates within the Norwegian cattle (NRF) population, the difference for w16 being statistically significant.